Official Development Assistance to the Water Sector

Does ODA for water reach those who need it most?

Least Developed countries are not the main beneficiaries

As it is shown on the figures below, ODA for water is not targeting enough the Least Developed Countries (LDCs). In 2003-2004 the proportion of ODA for water that benefited to the LDCs decreased in comparison with 2001-2002.

ODA for water (DAC definition) by income group, commitments 1999-2004

Multilateral assistance to the water sector is much more poverty-focused than bilateral ODA

Bilateral (left) and multilaterla (right) ODA for water (DAC definition) by income group, commitments 1999-2004

LDCs receive a large proportion oftheir ODA to the water sector in the form of grants, while loans are provided in priority to richer countries.

Commitments in ODA for water in grants and loans, by level of income of recipient countries - Period 2000-2004 (annual average)